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2015-16

Monarchs Set To Open Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center September 29

September 25, 2007
By ODU Athletics

Sept. 25, 2007

Norfolk, Va. - The Old Dominion University men's and women's tennis programs will have a new home this season with the September 29 opening of the Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center on the campus of ODU. The Department of Athletics will host an invitation only reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to provide those in attendance an opportunity to view the facility.

The 74,000 square foot facility, which is being called one of the finest indoor facilities in the nation, was designed by Rancorn Wildman Architects of Newport News. It has eight climate controlled indoor courts and 12 outdoor courts, making it more than suitable to host an NCAA Championship event. In addition, the tennis center also features two elevated mezzanines for spectators, a pro shop, conference room, offices for the ODU tennis staff, locker rooms and private lounge areas for the Monarchs' men's and women's teams and a separate locker room area for member use. There will be wireless computer connectivity and flat screen televisions throughout the facility that will display campus based programs, tennis center events and the Tennis Channel.

Built in large part thanks to a $1 million contribution from Grey Folkes and Ricky Stevens, the Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center will also be available for use by the ODU student body, faculty and staff, and the entire Hampton Roads community. Community members must purchase a membership to the facility and more information can be obtained by contacting Matt Halfpenny the facility coordinator for Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center at 757-645-8506.

"The Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center will provide outstanding support for our tennis program and the tennis community of Hampton Roads," says ODU Director of Athletics Dr. Jim Jarrett. "I appreciate very much this generous contribution from Grey and Ricky, along with several other donors who are making it possible for us to have one of the finest tennis facilities in the nation."

Grey Folkes, who took over the civil engineering firm of Hassell & Folkes PC in 1986, started playing tennis when he was given a membership to the Virginia Beach Racket Club as a college graduation present. Grey has been very active in the tennis community both as a player and sponsor of member guest tournaments, pro-am events, and USTA league tennis. In 1997 he won the Norfolk Yacht member guest tournament with former Monarch tennis standout Miguel Rosa. He is a 1977 Clemson graduate, while his wife Amy graduated from Old Dominion in 1998 with a business degree. They have three children, Daniel, Stradford and Sarah.

Ricky Stevens founded RB Stevens Construction Co., which he has directed for more than 30 years. He was the captain of a USTA National Championship team in 2003 along with earning individual state, sectional, and national rankings. In 2006 he won the Princess Anne Country Club member guest tournament with former Monarch Alex Cancado. His wife Judy is a realtor with Prudential Decker Reality and the Stevens have four daughters, Lisa, Sarah, Jennifer and Whitney.